Steven Gerrard looks to have been handed a potential blow at Rangers ahead of next season, with Filip Helander having been linked with a move away from Ibrox in the past week.

According to Football Insider, both Aston Villa and Leicester City are considering a move for the 27-year-old centre-back, who has been at the heart of Gerrard's defence alongside Conor Goldson for much of the season and has played a huge part in their title success.

The Swedish international has appeared in 21 of Rangers' 33 top-flight fixtures so far this season, in which he has averaged an impressive 7.11 rating for his performances.

The Light Blues' title win has been built on a strong defence, with Gerrard's side having shipped just 10 goals in the top-flight so far this season, so to lose someone who has been an important part of that would undoubtedly be a huge blow to the 40-year-old ahead of the next campaign.

The former Bologna man reportedly earns £10k per week at Rangers, and given the additional funds that will be available to Rangers next season with Champions League revenue and hopefully the return of fans, Ross Wilson should ensure that the Ibrox outfit are not bullied into selling Helander for a low fee.

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The centre-back is an international with Sweden and is a good age for a centre-back, yet Transfermarkt suggests that he is currently valued at just £1.8 million.

Considering Rangers paid around £3.5 million to Bologna to sign Helander, as well as his impressive form this season, you would hope that the champions would be aiming to receive at least £5 million should he make the move to the Premier League this summer.

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Gerrard clearly considers Helander a valuable member of his squad, describing him as a "leader" in 2019, so Wilson should do everything he can to keep hold of the Swede ahead of next season. If that's not possible, then he must negotiate a reasonable fee if the player does have his heart set on a move down south.

And, in other news... Rangers could be set for huge summer profit on gem dubbed "the biggest steal of the century"